Haitians Are Trying To Cope With New Political Freedom

February 16, 1986|By Vincent J. Schodolski, Chicago Tribune

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI — Political freedom, unknown in this country for almost 30 years, has burst upon Haiti with dizzying speed in the days since the departure of former President-for-Life Jean-Claude Duvalier.

Two men are already running for president, even though no date has been suggested for an election. A third candidate is waiting in the wings.

Politics is at the front of everyone`s mind. Rumors of communist agitation have spread, and debate has begun about the role Haitian exiles might play in the future political process.

Impatience is growing among young people at the forefront of the movement that finally brought down the Duvalier regime. Many are suspicious of the new five-man ruling council because of the ties some members had to the ousted dictator.

In short, things are confused in Haiti, and the joyous mood that reigned in the days just after Duvalier left on Feb. 7 appears to be turning sour. Some people fear that unless the new council moves quickly to take advantage of the optimistic spirit of Haitians, the country could be headed toward confrontation and more violence.

After three decades without an outlet for political expression by Haitians, some observers worry about the ability of opposition figures, exiles, the church, youth groups and the junta to make a smooth transition to an elected government.

``Many of the people most anxious for change have never lived in a Haiti with political freedom,`` a diplomat said. ``How can you expect everything to move along in a nice, tidy way?``

Sylvio Claude, leader of the small Haitian Christian Democratic Party, last week called for the immediate resignation of the junta and for the formation of a provisional government that would include opposition figures and perhaps exiles who would return from abroad.

He said that only 2 of the 13 people in the newly appointed cabinet are trustworthy. The others, he said, were supporters and friends of Duvalier and his father, Francois, who started the dynasty when he took power in 1957.

Claude, a 52-year-old Protestant minister, was a longtime opponent of Duvalier and was jailed and tortured five times under the former regime. Though he has yet to announce his candidacy, he has said he will run for president if that is what his party wants.

The ruling junta has said elections will be held, but it has refused to say when.

Two of the men running for president said the elections should be held within three to six months.

``I think if all goes well ... in something like three months,`` said Hubert DeRonceray, 53, a sociologist who was Haiti`s ambassador to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization until he was arrested 18 months ago for telling a foreign journalist that presidential elections were a must for his country.

Gregoire Eugene, 60, a lawyer and the third presidential candidate, gave the council six months to organize a vote.

Neither DeRonceray nor Eugene support Claude`s call for a provisional government. They said they have faith in the men now running the country and have no doubt the council will quickly turn over power to an elected government.

That does not seem to be the opinion of many Haitians, especially the young, who fear the junta may not keep its promise of elections.